I've enjoyed compiling this corkscrew guide, I hope it can be of assistance to you. If you'd like to get in touch it would be great to hear from you. Peter@corkscrewsonline.com
Antique & Vintage Corkscrew Guide ~ Direct pull corkscrews with Henshall buttons ~
In 1795 The Rev. Samuel Henshall from Oxford, England was the first to patent a Corkscrew. His idea was to incorporate a button between the shank & the worm. Its purpose was to compress and turn the cork once the worm was fully inserted, thus breaking any bond that might exist between cork and bottle.
Henshall's improvement to the simple direct pull corkscrew was no doubt a winner. His design was produced well into the 20th century in a vast array of different styles.
An inscribed original Henshall Corkscrew is quite a find!! A scruffy one would set you back over £1000 & one in good condition considerably more
An original Henshall corkscrew, the Worlds first corkscrew patent of 1795 recognised by the latin inscription on the button "OBSTANDO PROMOVES, SOHO PATENT".
Obstando Promoves translates to "by standing firm one makes advancement" & Soho Patent relates to Mathew Boulton who manufactured Henshall's corkscrew at his Soho works factory in Birmingham.
What to look for......
There are many different designs of Henshall type corkscrews to be found. Look for an inscription on the button as a number of manufacturers stamped their name in a similar way to the original patent. Fancy handles of different materials such as Ivory, bone, horn, celluloid & various woods can be found as well as very decorative bulbous shanks. All these elements make a more interesting addition to a corkscrew collection & increase the value of the corkscrew.
Here are some interesting variations of corkscrews incorporating a Henshall button. From left to right. A very fine 19th century Henshall type corkscrew with an ebonised handle & wonderfully faceted shank; Henshall type corkscrew with a large foil cutter & dusting brush; Henshall type corkscrew with a folding foil cutter.
